UP takes stock of F1 Indian Grand Prix preparations

Lucknow, Sep 6 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government Thursday took stock of the preparations for the second Formula One Indian Grand Prix scheduled Oct 26-28 in Greater Noida.

At a high level meeting, Industrial and Infrastructure Development Commissioner (IIDC) Anil Kumar Gupta, directed officials to ensure that neither the participants nor the spectators faced any problems at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).

A presentation on traffic, transport and security for the event was made by the sports organising committee, directed at concerned officials, departments and the event organising committee to remove "all bottlenecks for smooth flow of traffic and transport to and from from BIC".

Gupta stressed that F1 race was a major international sporting event that attracts enthusiasts from India and abroad to Uttar Pradesh, therefore, all efforts should be made to ensure a comfortable experience for the spectators, providing medical facilities and adequate security arrangements.

He added that educating the public about routes, tickets, parking area and 'do's & don'ts' was very important to avoid confusion.

IIDC further said that similar meeting will be held in first week of October in Noida itself to review the progress on decisions taken Thursday.

Officials from sports organising committee were asked to coordinate with Noida-Greater Noida Authorities to enable free traffic flow through this route. Further, far more spectators are expected this year after operationalisation of the Yamuna Expressway, thus, special event based steps will be taken for easy dispersal of spectators after the race is over.

CEO, Noida, Rama Raman informed that this year Noida Authority would provide extra land for Park and Ride facility for 10,000 vehicles from the present 4,000 near Knowledge Park. The facility provides transport buses from the parking place to BIC.

It was informed that this year buses ferrying spectators from Knowledge Park parking to BIC would be increased to 200 from 100 in 2011.

Similarly, 200 buses would be provided from Noida City Centre Metro Station along with additional buses at designated points in New Delhi besides more shuttle buses inside the circuit.